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+--- Forum: Bates Method (https://www.iblindness.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=5)
+--- Thread: Bates explains the change in VA requirements. (/showthread.php?tid=172)
Bates explains the change in VA requirements. - otis - 09-10-2006
FROM A DESCRIPTION OF VISUAL REQUIREMENTS BY DR. BATES
Up to 1908 the United States required normal (20/20) vision
in recruits for its military service. In that year Bannister and
Shaw made some experiments from which they concluded that a
perfectly sharp image of the target was not necessary for good
shooting, and that, therefore, a visual acuity of 20/40 (the
equivalent in feet of 6/12 in metres), or even 20/70, in the
poorer eye only, was sufficient to make an efficient soldier.
This conclusion was not accepted without protest, but normal
vision (20/20) had become so rare that it probably seemed to those
in authority that there was no use insisting upon it; and the
visual standard for admission to the Army was accordingly lowered
to 20/40 for the better eye and 20/100 for the poorer...
++++++++++
This "change" is written into the various state DMV
requirements -- that run from 20/70 (Florida) to
20/40 for most of the other states.
But that is why the change was made.
This is good knowledge if you are working to
clear your Snellen to 20/20 -- and are at 20/40,
and wish an independent check.
Otis
Re: Bates explains the change in VA requirements. - David - 09-10-2006
